Panthers GM Gettleman: No holes in roster

By Associated Press

Published: Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 08:33 PM.

That realization came to him after studying endless amounts of film from last season.

“You have to be careful you're not looking at fool's gold,” Gettleman said. “They won five of their last six, six of their last 10. Is it real, is it a mirage? After watching the tape and given the circumstance that team was in, for them to finish like that, including the come-from-behind win against New Orleans on the road, I don't think it's fool's gold. I really don't.”

The Panthers have fallen for the fool's gold before.

In 2008, the Panthers handed quarterback Jake Delhomme and others some big contracts after winning the NFC South title but losing at home in the first round of the playoffs to Arizona.

The aging Delhomme fizzled out and was cut the next season and the Panthers haven't been back to the postseason since.

This year Gettleman has avoided doling out any big contracts, partly because of the salary cap mess he inherited.

In fact Carolina's new general manager believes the team is closer to being a serious playoff contender than most people think after what he called a productive free agency signing period.

The Panthers also have the 14th overall pick in next week's NFL draft.

“Maybe you think I'm Pollyanna, but I don't see a lot of holes here,” said Gettleman, who took over in January.

The Panthers finished 7-9 last season, failing to make the NFC playoffs for the fourth straight season. That came after longtime GM Marty Hurney was fired midseason following a 1-6 start.

Enter Gettleman, who spent most of his career holed up in a room watching film as a member of the Giants pro personnel department. He said Carolina's strong finish leaves him feeling confident that the right pieces are in place and the roster doesn't need to be overhauled.

That realization came to him after studying endless amounts of film from last season.

“You have to be careful you're not looking at fool's gold,” Gettleman said. “They won five of their last six, six of their last 10. Is it real, is it a mirage? After watching the tape and given the circumstance that team was in, for them to finish like that, including the come-from-behind win against New Orleans on the road, I don't think it's fool's gold. I really don't.”

The Panthers have fallen for the fool's gold before.

In 2008, the Panthers handed quarterback Jake Delhomme and others some big contracts after winning the NFC South title but losing at home in the first round of the playoffs to Arizona.

The aging Delhomme fizzled out and was cut the next season and the Panthers haven't been back to the postseason since.

This year Gettleman has avoided doling out any big contracts, partly because of the salary cap mess he inherited.

The Panthers came into the offseason $16 million over the salary cap.

He released cornerback Chris Gamble, linebacker James Anderson and defensive tackle Ron Edwards and convinced two-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jordan Gross to take a major pay cut.

Cornerback Captain Munnerlyn and quarterback Derek Anderson also re-signed for one year.

Gettleman said in many cases the Panthers offered two years, but the players preferred one-year contracts.

“The free agency landscape has changed,” Gettleman said. "Who doesn't want to get paid big money? So what happens is you've got guys who would rather take the one-year deal and take a chance and do it all over again the following year. The danger for them from a personal level is they become gypsies.

“If you offer a guy a two-year deal and he doesn't want it, but you know he can help you win, you do the one-year deal.”

It's no coincidence that five of the free agents Gettleman brought in have competed in a Super Bowl.

Hixon and Blackburn both won a championship with the New York Giants.

“They have jewelry,” Gettleman said. “You know they're going to be what you want them to be and show some young guy the way. You'd like to have those guys.”

Gettleman said that while some fans see the Panthers roster as one in need of a change, his trained eye sees plenty of young talent that can be developed.

He cites Giants receiver Victor Cruz as a perfect example.

“We could see that coming,” Gettleman said of Cruz. "You could see the development. The kid had terrific hands, he had great quickness but he needed route work. He needed to learn how to play.

“But the bottom line is we saw that potential there. Of course we're up there and we're getting killed with people saying, ‘You don't have any wide receivers.’ Often times the answer is on your roster and you've got to look at that. You have to consider it.”